Tom Taff, a Minneapolis native and a Vietnam veteran, started
Balloon Express in 1980. He tried his hand at several careers,
but all left him unsatisfied and unchallenged. The idea of
Balloon Express came about after Tom read a magazine article
about an entrepreneurial woman in St. Louis, Missouri who
started a balloon business. Realizing he wanted to do something
that would brighten the world around him and make people smile,
he started his own balloon bouquet delivery service. Balloon
decorating for special events soon followed.

In
1987 he met his wife Karen, who was a stuffed animal salesperson
who serviced the Balloon Express account. After they married
and had their first child, she left her sales position
to stay at home with the baby. It was at this point she
became involved with the business.

Balloon Express is still family-owned and operated. Along
with Tom and Karen, their two daughters have grown with
the business and have been involved with the business
ever since they were old enough to hold a balloon. Balloon
Express is truly a Mom and Pop operation born out of an
entrepreneurial dream and successful through dedication
and hard work.